I work for an office based company that has provided helium canisters to fill balloons in the office. I am not overly familiar with regulations regarding working with and storage of compressed gas. Can someone advise where I can find regulations regarding this so I can build a business case as to why this practice should cease. Currently employees are expected to make these canisters 'safe' by puncturing them before disposing and are given a handout on how to do so. No formal training provided to do this, so clearly the basic requirement for adequate training is not being met. With regards to the safe disposal, the suppliers of these compressed helium canisters will not take them back. Can anyone point me in the direction of businesses that would be able to provide this service as a one off (we have 21 sites across the UK so there will be a signifcant amount that need disposing of). I'm finding providers to outsource the filling up of helium balloons - but I want to have all the necessary information at hand as to why this needs to be outsourced so there is no debate.

I cannot fathom why your people are expected to puncture the containers, this is a dangerous practice. There is a significant waste in money and resources in not using refillable cylinders.

I think I'm right in believing that in high concentration helium is actually an axthixyant and should not be punctured because as with any gas you cant be sure if it's fully empty of or if vapours still remain, so I would vent it off fully in a well ventilated area and look at other disposal means. Regards David john

These things are depressurised using a bursting disc: From one partty balloon supplier's website: •Do NOT dispose of this cylinder with your normal household waste. •ENSURE CYLINDER IS EMPTY BEFORE DISPOSAL. While outdoors, open the valve completely to make sure no residual pressure in the cylinder. •Do NOT leave unattended during procedure. •LEAVE VALVE OPEN and pierce cylinder bursting disc (depressed circle located on cylinder shoulder) prior to disposal. •The steel from this cylinder can be recylced at your local civic amenity site / municipal tip. Seems eminently sensible to me. Steve